Hessaire Vs. Portacool Evaporative Coolers For Keeping Cool

As summer temperatures rise, many homeowners look for efficient and affordable ways to keep cool. Evaporative coolers, sometimes called swamp coolers, are a popular alternative to traditional air conditioners in dry climates. Two of the biggest brands in evaporative cooling are Hessaire and Portacool.

But which one truly keeps you cooler?

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll compare the key features and performance of Hessaire and Portacool evaporative coolers. We’ll look at airflow, cooling power, build quality, noise levels, maintenance needs and more.

And we’ll name a clear winner to help you invest in the best evaporative cooler for your home.

A Brief Comparison Table

Feature	Hessaire	Portacool
Airflow (CFM)	1,800-10,000	1,200-16,500
Cooling Power	Thicker pads provide more surface area for evaporation, 75-85% efficiency	Good cooling efficiency of 75-80% with aspen excelsior pads
Durability	Galvanized steel and plastic exterior, weatherproof motor housing	Galvanized steel and plastic construction
Maintenance	Easy access panels and drain plugs	Removable panels and drain plugs
Noise Level	61-71 dB for most models	65-76 dB range
Climate Control	Manual knobs only	CyberQ smart controls on premium models
Cost	$300-$1,700 for most residential models	$400-$1,500 for basic models
Appearance	Boxy white design	Sleeker shaping and branding
Warranty	2 years parts, 10 years on housing	2 years parts, 10 years on housing

How Evaporative Coolers Work?

Before diving into the details, let’s review how evaporative coolers actually work.

This will help you understand the critical factors that make one cooler more effective than another.

Evaporative coolers use the natural process of evaporation to produce cooling airflow.

The basic components are:

• An air intake and fan to pull hot outside air into the unit
• Damp cooling pads made of aspen wood shavings or other porous material
• Water pump and distribution system to keep pads saturated
• Cool moist air exhaust to release into home

As hot dry air is pulled through the damp pads, the water evaporates which cools the air. This cooler air is then pushed into your home, providing refreshing relief from heat.

Unlike air conditioners that use refrigerants and compressors, evaporative coolers rely solely on the evaporation of water. This makes them a cost-effective and energy efficient way to beat the heat.

Key Differences Between Hessaire And Portacool Evaporative Coolers

Now let’s see how the Hessaire and Portacool designs stack up!

Air Circulation & Flow

A strong airflow is critical for an evaporative cooler to deliver cooling power. The CFM (cubic feet per minute) rating measures the volume of air pushed into your space. More airflow means more hot air gets converted to cool air.

Most homes need a minimum of 2500 CFM for effective cooling. Industrial spaces and large outdoor areas need far more airflow, from 5000 to 25,000+ CFM.

Hessaire offers a wide range of CFMs based on model:

• MC18M – 1,800 CFM
• MC24M – 3,740 CFM
• MC37M – 5,590 CFM
• MC49M – 7,800 CFM
• MC61M – 10,000 CFM

With up to 10,000 CFM capacity, Hessaire can handle very large spaces up to 6,000 sq. ft.

Portacool also provides a range of airflow outputs:

• PAC2KCYC01 – 1,200 CFM
• PAC2KCYC10 – 2,000 CFM
• PAC2KCYC20 – 4,000 CFM
• PAC2KCYC30 – 6,200 CFM
• PAC2KCYC60 – 16,500 CFM

The high-end Portacool units match Hessaire for industrial strength airflow up to 16,500 CFM.

For most residential applications, both brands can deliver sufficient airflow for efficient cooling. Hessaire offers more choice for medium commercial spaces, while Portacool excels for large warehouses and outdoor areas.

Winner: Tie

Cooling Power

CFM rating is just one factor in overall cooling power. The saturation efficiency – how well the pads absorb water and convert hot air to cooled air – is also critical.

Both Hessaire and Portacool use rigid media pads made of wood shavings or cellulose for efficient water retention and evaporation. However, there are some key differences:

• Hessaire uses CelDek rigid cellulose pads made of recycled newsprint. Cellulose fiber is highly absorbent for even water distribution. The pads are also thicker at up to 14 inches, providing more surface area for evaporation. This translates to cooling efficiency between 75-85%.
• Portacool uses an Aspen wood excelsior pad material. The wood fibers don’t absorb quite as efficiently as cellulose, but still deliver good saturation and evaporation. Portacool cooling efficiency ranges from 75-80%.

While the pad materials and efficiency are very comparable, Hessaire’s larger pad size gives it a slight performance advantage for cooling power.

Winner: Hessaire

Durability & Build Quality

To withstand years of use through hot summers, an evaporative cooler needs a rugged and weather-resistant build. Cheaper plastic designs won’t hold up over time like coated metal and corrosion-resistant materials.

• Hessaire coolers feature a galvanized steel cabinet frame and tough polyethylene plastic exterior that won’t easily dent, crack or rust. Internal parts like water pumps, float assemblies and valves use corrosion-proof materials. Weatherproof motor housings protect the fans and motors.
• Portacool also constructs their rigid cabinets from galvanized steel with rust-resistant zinc coating and durable plastic panels. The internal components are engineered for long-lasting performance and resistance to moist conditions.

Both brands offer heavy duty builds designed to tolerate wet operation and outdoor sun exposure. For maximum lifespan, look for stainless steel rather than plastic panels if your budget allows.

But the standard construction from both Hessaire and Portacool prove very reliable for years of cooling.

Winner: Tie

Ease of Maintenance

To keep an evaporative cooler blowing cold air season after season, regular maintenance is essential. This includes draining water, cleaning the pads, and preventative upkeep of motors and pumps. Easy access to all internal parts simplifies maintenance significantly.

• Hessaire coolers are designed for simple pad changes and water drainage. Removable side panels open up the entire cooler, allowing full access without awkward reaching from small openings. External drain plugs make flushing out water a breeze. The rigid pads release easily when needed for cleaning or replacement.
• Portacool also prioritizes convenient servicing. Side panels remove quickly with cam locks. Drain plugs flush water from the reservoir. And the excelsior pads lift out after removing a few screws.

Both brands understand that easier maintenance means consumers are more likely to actually perform the needed upkeep. And that results in better performance and lifespan. It’s a tie for maintenance access.

Winner: Tie

Noise Level

Evaporative coolers require strong airflow to function, which also generates noise from the fan motors. Excess noise can make cooling less enjoyable, especially for indoor operation.

Noise levels are measured in decibels (dB). Most portable evaporative coolers produce 65 to 75 dB of sound. For comparison, normal conversation is about 60 dB and a vacuum cleaner around 70 dB.

• Hessaire coolers are relatively quiet thanks to insulated cabinets and quality fan engineering. Noise output ranges from just 61 dB to 71 dB, even for the most powerful models.
• Portacool models are slightly louder at 65 dB on the low end, and up to 76 dB for the largest capacity. The fans must spin very fast to produce the advertised CFMs. This accounts for the increased sound at top speeds.

If using a cooler indoors, the lower decibel Hessaire models have the advantage. Portacool units are not uncomfortably loud, but you’ll notice the difference. For large outdoor and commercial spaces, noise is less of a concern.

Winner: Hessaire

Smart Climate Control

Advanced electronic controls allow you to precisely regulate cooling output and automate operation. More expensive units feature programmable thermostats, touchscreen interfaces and timer functions.

• Hessaire coolers employ rugged manual knobs for adjusting fan speed and water flow. No electronics are involved. This simplicity ensures continued operation even in harsh conditions with moisture, dirt and temperature swings. But you miss out on set-it-and-forget-it convenience and energy saving features.
• Portacool offers the CyberQ WiFi-enabled control panel on premium models. This allows app control, auto-scheduling, eco-mode, speed control and temperature management. Pretty slick! Basic affordable Portacool coolers still rely on mechanical knobs, but the high-tech options demonstrate their focus on innovation.

If convenience and precision climate control are priorities, Portacool takes the lead for smart technology. But Hessaire’s simpler designs will withstand tough outdoor conditions that cause electronics to fail. Choose based on your specific needs.

Winner: Portacool for innovation, Hessaire for reliability

Cost Considerations

With both Hessaire and Portacool offering such comparable performance, cost often makes the final difference. Evaporative coolers provide an affordable cooling solution relative to central AC, but you still want the best bargain for your budget.

• Hessaire residential evaporative coolers range from $300 on the low end up to $1,700 for heavy duty commercial units. With basic models starting under $500, they deliver strong value without sacrificing too much performance.
• Portacool coolers are priced similarly, from $400 to $1,500 for most home and shop models. Though prices can jump above $4,000 for specialized commercial or industrial designs.

Across the typical range of residential and medium duty models, Hessaire and Portacool are very competitively matched for pricing. Both offer quality construction and cooling power without breaking your budget.

For the budget-focused buyer, the cheapest models often make the most sense if performance is comparable. But carefully factor in longevity and your exact cooling needs too when choosing the best investment.

Winner: Tie

Visual Design

While not the most critical factor, aesthetics may play a role in your buying decision. Evaporative coolers have a distinct industrial look that may clash with some home decors.

• Hessaire coolers feature a boxy, workmanlike design. White plastic side panels provide a clean look and the fins dress it up slightly. Overall appearance is basic but inoffensive.
• Portacool models also have a utilitarian style, but slightly sleeker lines and angled grills. For outdoor use the bold logos also add some nice flair. The CyberQ units look the sharpest with futuristic blue lit displays.

Neither brand wins points for beauty or elegance. But both Hessaire and Portacool avoid being downright ugly! Minor style advantages go to Portacool.

Winner: Portacool

Warranty Coverage

A good warranty provides peace of mind should any parts fail prematurely. Evaporative coolers naturally sustains wear and tear from moisture, minerals and regular use. Strong warranty coverage significantly offsets repair costs.

• Hessaire offers one of the best warranties in the industry. All parts have a 2-year warranty. And they provide a 10-year coverage for the external housing against corrosion and structural defects. This lengthy protection really demonstrates their confidence.
• Portacool also backs their coolers with a commendable 2-year warranty on parts and 10 years for the cabinet, coils and frame. This matches the coverage from Hessaire. Purchasing extended warranties can provide even longer assurances.

With both brands offering the same excellent warranty terms, customers win with either choice. Look for authorized dealers to maintain eligibility.

Winner: Tie

Performance Overview

Before declaring an overall winner, here’s a summary of how Hessaire and Portacool compared in key performance categories:

• Airflow – Tie
• Cooling power – Slight edge Hessaire
• Durability – Tie
• Maintenance – Tie
• Noise – Slight edge Hessaire
• Climate control – Slight edge Portacool
• Cost – Tie
• Appearance – Slight edge Portacool
• Warranty – Tie

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

The Verdict: Which Is Better Overall?

Based on our detailed comparison, Hessaire is the winner when choosing the best residential evaporative cooler. The thicker cooling pads, quieter operation, and range of CFM outputs make Hessaire a slightly more attractive option for most homes.

Their products cool efficiently right out of the box with hassle-free manual controls.

However, Portacool earns points for the advanced climate control capabilities on premium models. For large spaces needing smart technology and commercial strength airflow, Portacool comes out ahead.

Their higher velocity fans and WiFi-enabled systems excel for industrial sites, warehouses, events and outdoor commercial use.

Both brands overall are neck-and-neck when it comes to quality, performance and value. You can’t go wrong choosing Hessaire or Portacool for your next evaporative cooler.

We hope this guide makes the buying decision clearer so you invest wisely and beat the heat!